Supporting apparatus for computer case

ABSTRACT

A supporting apparatus for a computer case ( 10 ) comprises a base member ( 30 ), a foot ( 60 ) and a latch ( 40 ). The computer case comprises a chassis ( 20 ) and a bottom panel ( 14 ). An opening ( 142 ) is defined in the bottom panel. The base member comprises a top wall ( 32 ) and a bottom wall ( 34 ). Through holes ( 324, 342 ) are respectively defined in the top wall and the bottom wall. The foot comprises a base ( 62 ) and a pole ( 64 ) disposed in the through holes. A hook ( 646 ) is formed at a distal end of the pole. The latch is mounted to the base member for grasping the hook. When the supporting apparatus is hidden into the opening of the bottom panel, the hook is grasped by the latch. When the supporting apparatus slides outwardly from the opening of the bottom panel, the hook is released from the latch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to supporting apparatuses, and particularly to supporting apparatuses for computer cases.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, most of tower computers have outer surfaces large enough to let the tower computers stand stably on computer desks. But this is changed with the appearance of tower-type mini computers. The mini computer has such a smaller outer surface that the stand-up stability of the mini computer may be unqualified.

In order to improve the stand-up stability of the mini computer, many supporting apparatuses are provided. Some supporting apparatuses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,295,648 and 6,364,278. The supporting apparatus comprises a base and a plurality of legs perpendicular to the base. The mini computer is disposed on the supporting apparatus between the legs. The outer surface of the mini computer is increased thereby. However, the supporting apparatus has such a large volume and a complex structure that the manufacturing cost of the supporting apparatus is high. Moreover, when the mini computer is used as a horizontal computer, it is inconvenient to preserve the supporting apparatus for their large volume.

Another supporting apparatus is disclosed in China Patent Application No. 95216022.6. Four grooves extending to side panels are symmetrically defined in a bottom panel of a computer. Two slots are defined in each of the grooves. One slot is in the bottom panel, and the other slot is in the corresponding side panel. The supporting apparatus comprises four stands corresponding to the grooves of the computer. Each stand has a small volume, and comprises a base and a leg extending perpendicularly from the base. Two protrusions are formed on each of the stands. One protrusion protrudes from the base corresponding to the slot of the bottom panel, and the other protrusion protrudes from the leg corresponding to the slot of the side panel. The stands are mounted to the computer by the protrusions being engaged into the corresponding slots. However, when the computer is used as a horizontal-type computer, it is inconvenient that the stands must be removed from the computer.

Thus an improved supporting apparatus for computer cases which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus which can support a computer case stably in an upright manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus which can be hid in a computer when the supporting apparatus being not used.

To achieve the aforementioned objects, a supporting apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention for a computer case comprises a base member, a foot and a latch. The computer case comprises a chassis and a bottom panel mounted to the chassis. An opening is defined in the bottom panel. The base member mounted on the chassis comprises a top wall and a bottom wall. A through hole is defined in the top wall. A through hole is defined in the bottom wall. The foot comprises a base disposed in the through holes and a pole extending from the base. The pole is disposed in the through holes of the top wall and the bottom wall of the base member. A hook is formed at a distal end of the pole. The latch mounted on the base member for grasping the hook. When the supporting apparatus is hidden into the opening of the bottom panel, the hook of the pole is grasped by the latch. When the supporting apparatus slides outwardly from the opening of the bottom panel, the hook is released from the latch.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of two supporting apparatuses and a computer case in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, isometric view of the supporting apparatus, the supporting apparatus comprising a base, an intermediate member, a latch, a foot and a spring;

FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 1, but showing the supporting apparatus and a connecting plate are mounted on the computer case;

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of FIG. 1, showing the supporting apparatus being not used; and

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5, but showing the supporting apparatus in use.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, two supporting apparatuses are needed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The supporting apparatuses are mounted in a case 10 of an electronic device like a computer. The computer case 10 comprises a front panel 11, a rear panel 12, a side panel 13, a bottom panel 14 and a chassis 20. A pair of openings 142 is defined in the bottom panel 14. The chassis 20 has a front plate 21, a rear plate 22 and a bottom plate 24. The front plate 21 and the rear plate 22 are perpendicular to the bottom plate 24. Two screw holes 222 are defined in the rear plate 22. Two mounting holes 242 are defined in the bottom plate 24 adjacent the rear plate 22.

Each of the supporting apparatuses is mounted to the chassis 20 by a connecting plate 28. The connecting plate 28 comprises a first plate 282 and a second plate 286 extending perpendicularly from the first plate 282. Two mounting holes 284 are defined in the first plate 282, corresponding to the mounting holes 242 of the bottom plate 24. Three securing holes 288 are defined in the second plate 286.

Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the supporting apparatuses comprises a base member 30, an intermediate member 40, a latch 50, a foot 60 and an elastic member such as a spring 70.

The base member 30 has a top wall 32, a bottom wall 34 parallel to the top wall 32 and two side walls 36, 38 perpendicular to the top wall 32. Two apertures 322 and a position hole 323 are defined in the top wall 32. A through hole 324 is defined in the top wall 32 among the apertures 322 and the position hole 324. A circular through hole 342 corresponding to the through hole 324 and an opening 344 are defined in the bottom wall 34. Two screw holes 362 corresponding to the screw holes 222 of the rear plate 22 are defined in the side wall 36. Three securing holes 382 are defined in the side wall 38 corresponding to the securing holes 288 of the second plate 286 of the connecting plate 28.

The intermediate member 40 has a top wall 42 and two pairs of side walls 44, 46 perpendicular to the top wall 42. An opening 422 is defined in the top wall 42. A square-section bulge 424 extends outwardly from the sides of the opening 422. A pairs of cutouts 428 is defined in the bulge 424 in a direction parallel to the side walls 44. A hook 442 extends outwardly from the side of each of the side walls 44, corresponding to the aperture 322 of the base member 30. A tab 462 extends from the side of one of the side wall 46 corresponding to the position hole 323 of the base member 30.

The latch 50 is a standard component and comprises a housing 52 and a locking portion 54 elastically received in the housing 52. The housing 52 comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. A length of the bottom portion (not labeled) is greater than that of the top portion (not labeled). A pair of protrusions 522 corresponding to the cutout 428 of the intermediate member 40 protrudes from two opposite sides of the top portion of the housing 52 adjacent the bottom portion. The locking portion 54 has two claws 542. When the locking portion 54 slides into the housing 52, the claws 542 are closed. When the locking portion 54 extends out from the housing 52, the claws 542 are opened.

The foot 60 comprises a base 62 and a pole 64 extending perpendicular from the base 62. A supporting portion 622 is arranged at the base 62 adjacent the pole 64 corresponding to the opening 344 of the base member 30. The pole 64 comprises a first column portion 642 and a second column portion 644 extending outwardly from the first column 642. A diameter of the first column portion 642 is greater than the maximal diameter of the through hole 324 of the base member 30, but smaller than that of the through hole 342 of the base member 30. A diameter of the second column 644 is smaller than the minimal diameter of the through 324 of the base member 30. A ringed groove 645 is defined in an outer surface of the second column portion 644 for receiving a gasket 66. The gasket 66 has a greater diameter than that of the through hole 324 of the base member 30. A hook 646 corresponding to the claws 542 of the latch 50 is formed at a distal end of the second column 644. The hook 646 is grasped by the claws 542 when the claws 542 are closed.

The spring 70 has a diameter greater than the minimal diameter of the through hole 324 of the base member 30, but smaller than the diameter of the first column 642 of the foot 60.

Referring also to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, in assembly, the connecting plate 28 is mounted to the bottom plate 24 of the chassis 20 by two screws (not showed) being inserted through the mounting holes 284 of the first plate 282 and engaged with the mounting holes 242 of the bottom plate 24. In the same way, the base member 30 is mounted to the second plate 284 of the connecting plate 28 and the bottom plate 24 of the chassis 20 by screws (not showed). The spring 70 is placed between the top wall 32 and the bottom wall 34 of the base member 30. The second column portion 644 of the pole 64 is pushed in turn through the through hole 342 of the bottom wall 34, the spring 70 and the through hole 324 of the top wall 32 of the base member 30. The spring 70 is arranged around the second column portion 644. The groove 645 is exposed out of the through hole 324 of the top wall 32. The foot 60 is secured in the base member 30 by the gasket 66 received in the groove 645 of the second column portion 644. The latch 50 extends into the intermediate member 40. The bottom portion of the latch 50 is disposed inside the intermediate member 40, and the top portion traverses through the opening 422. The protrusion 522 of the top portion of the housing 52 is locked in the cutout 428 of the bulge 424. The claws 542 of the locking portion 54 are hidden in the intermediate member 40. When the hooks 442 of the intermediate member 40 are locked in the apertures 322 of the base member 30, the tab 462 is inserted into the position hole 323. The intermediate member 40 together with the latch 50 is thus mounted on the top wall 32 of the base member 30. The hook 646 of the foot 60 is disposed between the claws 542. After the supporting apparatus is mounted on the chassis 20, the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the side panel 13 and the bottom panel 14 are mounted to the chassis 20. The base 62 traverses through the opening 142 of the bottom panel 14, and an inner surface of the base 62 leaves away from an outer surface of the bottom panel 14. The supporting apparatuses are thus mounted in the computer case 10.

When the base 62 is pushed into the computer case 10 through the opening 142 of the bottom panel 14 by an external force, the first column portion 642 of the foot 60 presses the spring 70. The elastic spring 70 is contracted, and the hook 646 of the foot 60 presses the locking portion 54 of the latch 50 to make the locking portion 54 sliding into the housing 52. The claws 542 of the locking portion 54 are closed, and the hook 646 of the foot 60 is grasped. The supporting portion 622 of the foot 60 is secured into the opening 344 of the bottom wall 34 of the base member 30, and the outer surface of the base 62 is in a same plane with the outer surface of the bottom panel 14. Thus the supporting apparatuses are hidden in the computer case 10.

The base 62 of the foot 60 is further pushed into the computer case 10 by another external force. The claws 542 of the locking portion 54 slide out from the housing 52 of the latch 60 when the force applied on the base 62 is withdrawn. The locking portion 54 of the latch 50 and the spring 70 push the pole 64 of the foot 60. The foot 60 slides out from the computer case 10 until the gasket 66 mounted in the groove 645 of the pole 64 is stopped by the top wall 32 of the base member 30. The inner surface of the base 62 of the foot 60 leaves away from the outer surface of the bottom panel 14. After the foot 60 is rotated in 180 degree, the foot 60 is pushed into the computer case 10 again until the hook 646 of the foot 60 is grasped by the claws 542 of the latch 50. The base 62 of the foot 60 is in a same plane with the bottom panel 14 of the computer case 10, and projects out from the computer case 10. The computer case 10 thereby stands up stably.

The foot 60 can again be hidden when the computer case 10 is used in horizontality.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A supporting apparatus for a computer case, the computer case comprising a bottom panel mounted to the chassis, an opening being defined in the bottom panel, the supporting apparatus comprising: a base member mounted in the computer case; a foot comprising a base corresponding to the opening of the bottom panel and a pole extending from the base, the pole being moveably mounted to the base member, a hook being formed at a distal end of the pole; and a latch mounted to the computer case for grasping the hook of the foot; wherein pushing the supporting apparatus to make the hook to be grasped by the latch; pushing the supporting apparatus again to make the hook to be released from the latch, the supporting apparatus is slid outwardly from the opening of the bottom panel.
 2. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising an intermediate member, wherein the intermediate member comprises a pair of hooks protruding from opposite sides thereof to engage with the base member.
 3. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein the intermediate member further comprises a top wall, an opening is defined in the top wall, a bulge extends outwardly from sides of the opening for disposing the latch.
 4. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the pole of the foot comprises a first column portion and a second column portion extending from the first column portion, a ringed groove is defined in the second column portion, a gasket is mounted in the groove for positioning the pole of the foot.
 5. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 4, further comprising an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is arranged around the second column portion of the pole.
 6. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the latch comprises a housing and a locking portion received in the housing, a pair of claws protrudes from the locking portion to grasp the hook of the pole of the foot.
 7. The supporting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein a plate is positioned between the base member and the computer case, the plate comprises a first plate mounted to the computer case and a second plate extending from the first plate for being mounted to the base member.
 8. A computer case, comprising: a chassis; a bottom panel covering the chassis, an opening being defined in the bottom panel; a foot corresponding to the opening of the bottom panel comprising a hook; and a latch mounted to the chassis for grasping the hook of the foot; wherein when the foot is hidden in the opening of the bottom panel, the hook is grasped by the latch; when the foot extends from outwardly from the opening of the bottom panel, the hook is released from the latch.
 9. The computer case as described in claim 8, further comprising a base member, wherein the base member mounted to the chassis comprises a top wall and a bottom wall, a through hole is defined in the top wall, a through hole is defined in the bottom wall.
 10. The computer case as described in claim 9, wherein the foot further comprises a base and a pole extending from the base, the pole is disposed in the through holes of the top wall and the bottom wall of the base member.
 11. The computer case as described in claim 9, further comprising an intermediate member, wherein the intermediate member comprises a pair of hooks protruding from opposite sides thereof to engage with the top wall of the base member.
 12. The computer case as described in claim 11, wherein the intermediate member further comprises a top wall, an opening is defined in the top wall, a bulge extends outwardly from sides of the opening for disposing the latch.
 13. The computer case as described in claim 8, wherein the pole of the foot comprises a first column portion and a second column portion extending from the first column portion, a ringed groove is defined in the second column portion, a gasket is mounted in the groove for positioning the pole of the foot.
 14. The computer case as described in claim 13, further comprising an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is arranged around the second column portion of the pole.
 15. The computer case as described in claim 8, wherein the latch comprises a housing and a locking portion received in the housing, a pair of claws protrudes from the locking portion to grasp the hook of the pole of the foot.
 16. The computer case as described in claim 8, wherein a plate is positioned between the base member and the computer case, and comprises a first plate mounted to the computer case and a second plate extending from the first plate for being mounted to the base member.
 17. A computer assembly comprising: a case having a bottom panel; and a supporting apparatus having a base member arranged to the case, a latch arranged to the base member, and a foot resiliently attached to the base member and being vertically movable relative to the bottom panel of the case; wherein the foot is selectively located in a first position to engage with the latch, and in a second position to disengage from the latch.
 18. The computer assembly as described in claim 17, wherein the latch comprises a housing and two claws; the foot comprises a hook at a distal end thereof; when the hook pushes the claws into the housing, the hook is clamped by the claws and retained in the housing; when the hook pushes the claws a second time, the claws are driven outward of the housing by a resilient force, and release the hook.
 19. The computer assembly as described in claim 18, wherein the foot is rotatable around an axis vertical to the bottom panel when the hook is released from the claws.
 20. The computer assembly as described in claim 18, wherein a spring is disposed between the foot and the base member.
 21. An assembly of an electronic device, comprising: a case having a panel to be supportively placed for placement of said assembly; and a supporting apparatus fully installed in said case and having a foot extendable from inside of a profile of said case to outside of said profile of said case, said foot movable to be fully settled within said inside of said case profile, and to be settled at said outside of said case profile next to said panel of said case so as to be supportively contributory to said placement of said case.
 22. The assembly as described in claim 21, wherein an outer surface of said foot is substantially flushed with said panel in both situations of settling in said inside of said case profile and settling to said outside of said case profile. 